Woman drives to hospital despite three bullet wounds

FRENCH CAMP - A 21-year-old woman is lying in a hospital bed with an inoperable bullet lodged between her lungs and back, one of three gunshot wounds she suffered early Sunday while dropping off a friend in the French Camp area, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

FRENCH CAMP - A 21-year-old woman is lying in a hospital bed with an inoperable bullet lodged between her lungs and back, one of three gunshot wounds she suffered early Sunday while dropping off a friend in the French Camp area, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

A family friend called the woman a heroine for having the state of mind, despite a serious head wound, to drive to a hospital with the gunman in pursuit,

"She was brave enough to drive herself to the hospital, saving herself and her 18-year-old sister and the guy in the back seat while the shooter was chasing them. This is a good family, and they are seeking the public's help to catch the shooter," said the friend, Lisa Garcia. "That's a miracle."

The shooting took place about 12:45 a.m. Sunday while the victims' vehicle was stopped in the 300 block of East Krell Lane, near McKinley Avenue in French Camp, as the driver and her sister, 18, were dropping off a male friend. Another vehicle pulled up, possibly a tan Jeep Cherokee with shiny rims, and the front passenger got out. According to the sheriff's report, the assailant then attempted to open the driver's door of the victims' vehicle and then realized that the vehicle was occupied.

The 21-year-old woman behind the wheel, whose name is being withheld because the shooter is still at large, then attempted to drive away, but not before the assailant opened fire, hitting her three times in the upper body, according to authorities. Neither of the two passengers was injured.

The family of the victim stepped forward to provide additional information. The mother of the 21-year-old driver and her 18-year-old sister, whose names are also being withheld, said her daughter underwent surgery Sunday to successfully remove one bullet lodged above her right eye. Doctors determined a second surgery scheduled for Monday to remove the bullet in her back was too risky and called it off. A third bullet exited her right shoulder.

"I'm thankful my daughter is alive and my other daughter made it out alive," the victims' mother said. She had no clue as to what a possible motive might be for the shooting.

"I'm hearing that they may have been after someone who drives that similar car. My daughter has no enemies. She never has issues with anybody. My husband and I believe they were at the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.

"These people don't realize that their actions hurt innocent people. They mess with families. My younger daughter just feels very fortunate that her sister didn't die," the mother said, encouraging anyone with information in this case to step forward and contact authorities.

"People can look for that type of car. Be aware. I don't know if they are going to do this to somebody else," she said.

The Sheriff's Office reported Monday evening the assailant remains unknown. People with information can contact the Sheriff's Office at (209) 468-4400. Anonymous tipsters can send a mobile text to investigators at 274637. Start the text with SJSO, followed by the tip.